Nats walked off again, this time by Cards' DeJong

August 13, 2018 - 11:14 pm

The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Paul DeJong handed the Washington Nationals their second straight walk-off loss, capping a back-and-forth finish with a game-ending solo homer in the ninth inning of the St. Louis Cardinals' 7-6 victory Monday night.

DeJong took Koda Glover (0-1) deep leading off the ninth on a 3-1 pitch. A night earlier, Ryan Madson allowed a game-ending ninth-inning grand slam to the Chicago Cubs' David Bote to end a 4-3 defeat.

Matt Carpenter kicked off a wild ending with a three-run go-ahead homer during a four-run eighth inning for St. Louis. It was Carpenter's 17th homer during a 31-game on-base streak.

Washington tied it at 6 in the top of the ninth on RBI singles by Daniel Murphy and Matt Wieters off closer Bud Norris. Dakota Hudson (3-0) relieved Norris and stranded two baserunners by retiring Wilmer Difo and Adam Eaton.

Jedd Gyorko sparked St. Louis' big eighth inning with a homer off Justin Miller. Kolten Wong and Patrick Widsom then singled to set up Carpenter's 33rd homer. Carpenter has homered in seven of his past 10 games.

Washington's bullpen has blown saves in three of its past four games. All-Star closer Sean Doolittle has been on the disabled list since early July, and top setup man Kelvin Herrera went to the DL with right rotator cuff impingement last week.

Juan Soto and Bryce Harper homered for Washington, which has lost five of seven.

Harper won a 10-pitch battle with starter Miles Mikolas by drilling his 29th homer leading off the fourth to lead 2-1.

Ryan Zimmerman added a run-scoring double in the second for the Nationals.

Jose Martinez had four hits for the Cardinals.

Mikolas gave up four runs on four hits over seven innings. He struck out four and walked one.

Tommy Milone started for Washington and gave up two runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings.

'PEN BOUND

If and when Carlos Martinez returns to the Cardinals this season, it will be in the bullpen. Martinez has been working back from a shoulder injury, and the team is worried it won't have time to stretch out its ace for a potential postseason push.

Martinez threw 30 pitches in a side session Monday. He will throw one more side session in the next few days, and could return to the active roster soon.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Nationals: Madson is dealing with back issues, but manager Dave Martinez says Madson plans to pitch through the difficulties. "He's a big part of our bullpen," Martinez said. Madson did not pitch Monday. ... INF Anthony Rendon returned to the lineup after missing two games due to a left wrist contusion.

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright tossed a scoreless inning for Class A Palm Beach. The three-time All-Star was placed on the disabled list May 14 with right elbow inflammation and is beginning a 30-day rehab assignment. He struck out two and allowed one hit in the nine-pitching outing.

UP NEXT

LHP Gio Gonzalez (7-8, 3.39) will face RHP John Gant (4-4, 3.89) in the second of the four-game series Tuesday. Gonzalez has allowed just two earned runs over 14 innings in two starts this season against St. Louis. Gant made his major league debut against Washington on April 6, 2016 as a member of the Atlanta Braves.